Protests in Pa. Capitol call for increased taxes on the rich

Education, housing, healthcare and public transportation could all be improved if the state had more money from billionaires, per the protestors.

• Jordan Wilkie/WITF
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 Jordan Wilkie / WITF News

Over 100 protesters occupied the Pennsylvania Capitol’s East Rotunda on Monday, calling for higher tax rates on billionaires with speeches and chants like “Tax that Yass.”

The protesters say a higher taxation rate for Jeffrey Yass — the state’s richest resident — and other billionaires would fill budget shortfalls in public services including education, housing, health care and public transportation. 

“If you would tax these billionaires their fair share like you put on the backs of poor people, we wouldn’t have no deficit, so don’t tell me we don’t have the money,” said Paulette Whitfield, a North Philadelphia resident.

Whitfield volunteers as the board treasurer for One PA, a nonprofit group that advocates for policy reform that would decrease the gender income gap and improve economic outlooks for Black people. Those calling for increased taxes on the mega-wealthy reflected a coalition of like-minded, progressive advocacy groups that together call themselves All Eyes on Yass that track his political spending. 

Sen. Scott Martin, R-Lancaster and chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, who plays a pivotal role in state budget negotiations, did not respond to questions for this story, like whether additional taxation on billionaires would be an effective strategy for shoring up state budgets or whether Martin was still accepting campaign contributions from Yass. The largest donors to Martin’s reelection bid last year were linked to Yass, LNP l LancasterOnline reported at the time.

Lancaster resident Abby Norman said taxing the wealthy will help young people like her prepare for their futures. She is a college student and is worried about being able to afford a place to live.

“Affordable housing gets people on the right path,” Norman said. “If you don’t have a place to rest and to live with good accommodations, how are you supposed to succeed in life? That’s just a basic necessity that many people don’t have.” 

Norman also advocates for a raise in the minimum wage, which is one of the policy recommendations from All Eyes on Yass in addition to raising taxes on the wealthy. The Democratic-controlled state House has already acted on raising the minimum wage and several other recommendations, including a bill passed out of committee Monday morning on a party-line vote that would make it more difficult for companies to off-shore income generated in Pennsylvania as a way of avoiding state taxes. 

Democrats in the House have also voted to legalize marijuana, which would generate state revenue from taxing sales, similar to taxing alcohol, but was defeated in a Senate committee. The minimum wage bill has not seen action in the Senate. 

Last week, the House also passed a bill to fund mass transit and repair roads and bridges with seven Republican votes. 

While none of these bills have advanced in the Senate, some of the measures are in Gov. Josh Shaprio’s proposed budget, including marijuana legalization, mass transit funding and additional money for the state’s poorest schools.

“We stand ready to send the Governor’s proposed budget to the Senate,” said Beth Rementer, spokesperson for House Democrats. “But we also acknowledge in divided government, we must work together to pass a final compromise, and we have been waiting patiently to see what the Senate can pass — preferably before or not long after June 30.”

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